Auto Daily

Car Reviewers

World Car News

Automobile News

Saturday, January 24, 2009

How many times have I said that BMW owners are just simply "crazy"? Yes, many times I said that, and this fella from Gig Harbor, WA. proved again my theory. His 1988 E30 BMW M3 went up for sale on eBay for a starting price of $30,000.

The original U.S. E30 M3 model by a 2.3 liter engine producing 192 horsepower and a top speed of 146 mph. The eBay M3 has under the hood a Corvette LS1 engine from 2002 which was dissembled and built back to LS6 specifications. The engine is connected to a new 6-speed manual transmission from a Camaro. It also has an M-Roadster front and rear suspensions and brakes, GC coil-overs and fully adjustable Konis shock absorbers.

The modified E30 M3 has about 50 hp more than the LS6 engine, which brings the "M3 Corvette" to 450 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. The bigger V8 engine adds about 50 lbs to the overall weight of the car. The owner decided to sell the classic M3 since "it has been boringly reliable".

He believes that the modified E30 M3 would cost you $50,000 if you would go ahead and build the car yourself, or somewhere around 75k if done by someone else.

I wish the owner good luck with the sale, but as far as myself, I wouldn't paid $30,000 for it, even if it came with a second Porsche engine in the trunk.

The german tuner Hamann has revealed the details on their latest tuned up BMW X6. Named Tycoon, the vehicle is a makeover of a series of Hamann X6 models that were revealed in 2008. To sweeten the deal, the new BMW X6 Tycoon features a new body elements, performance upgrades and an upgraded interior.

New front wings and rear wing extenders were made of light composite materials and are emphasizing the masculine appearance of the X6 Tycoon. The wide of the body has been increased by 60 millimeters and the rear design was enhanced by adding a rear and roof spoiler. A three-part diffuser was added as well.

Aerodynamics played an important role in the design of the BMW X6 Tycoon and add the light forged wheels, and Hamann might be onto something. Hamann uses their Design Editio Race Anodized 23-inch rims and 315/325 tires. Special chassis springs enhance light alloys. Ride height is lowered by a maximum of 40mm both at the front and rear axles.

The base petrol engine is the BMW X6 xDrive35i producing 235 hp while the xDrive30d outputs 235 hp. The larger diesel engine is capable of 286 hp. Here is where Hamann comes in and helps the X6 engines with their performance kit, by increasing the xDrive30d to 265 hp and the xDrive35d to 320 hp. The base petrol engine, xDrive35d, goes up 76 horsepower, to a total of 360 hp.

The interior is probably one of my favorite parts of the BMW X6 Tycoon, stunning aluminum pedelas and carbon fiber elements on the dashboard. The 3-spoke steering wheel gets a new shape and it includes carbon fiber elements.

The high-end BMW X6, xDrive50i, has not been forgotten and Hamann is already working on a new performance kit that hopefully will bump the already impressive 407 hp coming from the 4.4 liter V8 twin-turbo engine.

Press Release

HAMANN- Motorsport broadens the BMW X6

As far as the latest project by HAMANN-Motorsport is concerned, the name says it all: the Laupheim-based refiner called its latest creation for BMW X6 TYCOON. This description has its roots in Japanese culture and is originally a synonym for an extraordinary shape - a comparison which can also be transferred to the X6-makeover.

The TYCOON - an auto-body pack which sets benchmarks

Already the design department at HAMANN-Motorsport ensures that the TYCOON meets the expectations in his name. They designed and developed an impressive broad makeover for this BMW crossover model and ensured that all accessories reflect and perfect the shape of the car. The masculine appearance of the TYCOON is mainly emphasised by its new front wings and back wing extensions made of light composite material. They broaden the body by striking 60 millimetres. The perfectly designed side skirts render the optical connection while the front apron is an outstanding eye-catcher with its large air inlets and the LED daytime running lights under the serial headlights. At the rear section of the X6, the HAMANN-engineers added a three-part diffuser to the original apron. The back appearance of the TYCOON is enhanced by a rear- and roof spoiler. It goes without saying that all used HAMANN-components do not only convince with their design but also with their aerodynamics. They ensure an optimised air flow over the car silhouette and render an additional downthrust.

Perfectly styled from head to toe - the suitable rim in XXL format

The suitable rim for the broad makeover of the BMW X6 is the DESIGN EDITION RACE ANODIZED. The ultra-light forged wheel combines both agility and also elegance. The black rim star and the titanium bolting underline the dynamics of the wheel. The highly polished rim flange on the contrary gives the car a noble impression. HAMANN offers the 23-inch wheel with tyres sized 315/25 R 23. Special chassis springs fantastically enhance the light alloy wheels. Thereby, progressively coiled springs lower the barycentre of this Sports Utility Vehicle by maximally 40 millimetres at the front- and back axle.

HAMANN performance kits - from tycoon to typhoon

The choice of different HAMANN performance kits is as manifold as the selection of BMW engines. The tuning expert bestows the X6 xDrive35i with an engine output of 360 hp / 265 kW at 5230 rpm. Parallelly, the maximum torque rises by 140 Nm to 540 Nm in the rpm-range between 1300 and 5000. At the same time, HAMANN also suspends the speed limit of 250 km/h and allows impressive 275 km/h.

The Diesel series also profits from extra power. After the serial motronic is re-programmed, the xDrive30d has 265 PS / 195 kW and transfers a maximum torque of 600 Nm to the crankshaft. The engine variation xDrive35d also turns into a racy sprinter: HAMANN is able to tease 320 PS / 235 KW and a sensational torque of 660 Nm at 2000 rpm out of the Diesel car. Engine performance kits for the xDrive50i are already in the final stages of the development process. Moreover, sport mufflers by HAMANN-Motorsport can be adjusted to any performance kit. The product range includes a two-pipe and also four-pipe exhaust system which render a sonorous and earthy sound.

The inner values of HAMANN - noble accessories for the TYCOON interior

In addition to the present, serial inner design, HAMANN offers accessories made of high-quality aluminium. Pedals and foot rests render motorsports sensations and perfectly match the 12-part HAMANN decoration set made of carbon fibre. An instrument dial with a scaling up to 300 km/h and a 3-spoke sport steering wheel further underline the sportive overall appearance of the TYCOON. For the boot of the X6, HAMANN offers an elegant and also practical boot mat with chequered decorative stitching and an embroidered logo.

So you thought the guys at Car and Driver could drive? Well, by the looks of this video they really can’t! Below is footage of some folks at Car and Driver messing around on the track in the new BMW M3 and Porsche 911. I hate to be the one to say it but these guys are ROOKIES! Maybe they are interns. Gosh I hope so for the sake of Car and Driver readers.

Yes, I know I know, the 2009 BMW Z4 is already out in the open and all the online or offline media, including us, have already posted tons of photos, but I think these photos from Worldcarfans are probably the first one that show the new Z4 undisguised on the Munich streets.

Everything has been probably said already about the new 2009 BMW Z4, but we can recap some things:

I have mixed feelings about flame-surfacing and whatnot. But regardless of how you feel about the concave body lines on modern BMWs, you’ve got to admit that their headlight design is stunning.

Getting an up-close look at all the cars on the floor of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Audi is the only brand that even comes close to putting as much effort into headlamp design as BMW. But where an Audi’s lights look very sleek and elegant, the lights on a BMW are blooming with complex neo-art deco details.

The attention to detail that goes into the lamp of a new 7-Series, Z4, or even a 3-Series is outstanding.

Racer X Design BMW RZ-M6

BMW rolled out the new 6 Series coupe in 2003, it reconnected with a nameplate that had laid dormant for some 14 years. The original 6-Series, produced between 1976 and 1989, earned itself a cult following and iconic status, epitomized by the 635CSi. Some apparently feel that the current 6 doesn't pay enough homage to the original. The people at Racer X Design count themselves in that camp, and are evidently hoping there are more like-minded enthusiasts... with cash. Racer X Design has caught our attention before with some arresting concepts, including the KC-427 and the RZ Formula. The RZ-M6, however, takes the existing 6 Series and retros it up a bit, in turn paying a bit of homage to BMW's own M1 Hommage concept. The modified body panels would also widen the coupe by an extra 50 mm, giving it a more aggressive stance to go along with the tribute styling. Of course, Racer X Design needs to attract some potential customers to bring the RZ-M6 to life, but it's already a few steps closer to reality than the studio's previous projects. Check it out in the gallery below and read the full press release after the jump.

Gallery: Racer X Design BMW RZ-M6

The 2010 BMW Z4 was revealed at the 2009 NAIAS yes. What we have here are pictures taken after those events. They show the Z4 in a ‘real life' environment, that is after the glitz and glam of Detroit. This is what it looks like driving on a real street with no fancy lights or photographers who ‘dress' these cars up for official shoots. For the first time in the model's history the Z4 comes with a hard top instead of the more traditional canvass for its roof. It opens or closes in 20 seconds. Most countries receiving the new hard-top Z4 Convertible will have it delivered to them by mid-2009. Facts and figures for the two-seater sports car are out there but a quick recap would be good. The range-topping Z4 sDrive35i boasts BMW's award-winning 3.0-litre twin turbo petrol engine worth 225kW (306hp) and 400Nm. A step beneath is the Z4 sDrive30i with 258hp (192kW) from its 3.0-litre engine with 310Nm of torque. Lastly we have the Z4 sDrive23i that pushes out 204hp (150kW) and 250Nm. Expected at a later stage is the Z4 M which will utilise the talents provided by the M3's 309kW (420hp) 4.0-litre V8. Customers can choose between the 6-speed manual or the new Double Clutch Transmission system for the sDrive35i. via:World Car Fans

Late in 2008 Hamann revealed its plans for the BMW X6, including a range of performance and appearance upgrades. Today the tuning house expands that range with a new Tycoon widebody kit for the 'sports activity coupe'. Building on the foundation of Hamann's earlier X6 modificaitions, including power upgrades to the xDrive30d and xDrive35d diesel engines as well as the big and powerful xDrive50i petrol V8. Rated at 261hp (195kW) and 315hp (235kW) for the diesel models, respectively, Hamann has not yet disclosed the power upgrade for the xDrive50i, though building on the already-potent 400hp (298kW) twin-turbo V8 ensures it will be a beast. The key new upgrades for the Tycoon variant, however, relate to the widebody kit, which extends the car's horizontal width by 2.36in (60mm).